Abstract: A modular plug (23) for terminating cordage includes a housing (41) having a free end (46) and a cordage-input end. An end portion of a length of cordage (21) to be terminated by the plug is inserted into the cordage-input end of the housing to cause exposed individually insulated conductors extending beyond a jacketed portion of the cordage to be received in a conductor-holding portion of the housing. Blade-like terminals (42--42) inserted into slots opening to an exterior surface of the housing engage electrically the conductors. An anchoring member (61) is caused to be moved to an operative position whereat a primary jacket anchoring surface (74) of the anchoring member becomes disposed in compressive engagement with a jacket of the cordage. The geometry of the anchoring member is such that the primary anchoring surface in an unoperated position is angled to a longitudinal axis of the end portion of the length of cordage.

Abstract: A modular plug connector is adapted to terminate a cord having a number of insulated solid wire conductors. The connector includes a dielectric housing that facilitates interconnection between the solid wire conductor and a metallic terminal which slides into a terminal-receiving slot of the dielectric housing. The metallic terminal includes three tangs, or blades, that pierce the insulation surrounding the solid wire and achieve electrical contact. Adjacent tangs grasp the solid wire on opposite sides of its center line, but are controllably spread before making contact with the wire by cam surfaces molded into the side walls of the terminal-receiving slot. Reliable connections are therefore made between a metallic terminal and a solid wire conductor without severing it.